16 Birmingham Happenings: September 2014

September in Birmingham is filled with lots of fun and exciting events that we are sure you will not want to miss! Here are 16 Happenings going on around town this month.

The Cahaba River Fry-down promises to be a day filled with fun and learning! Photo credit: www.frydown.com.

September 2, 2014: A State of Teal Lighting and GYN Cancer Ceremony

Did you know that Alabama is one of two states with the highest death rates from ovarian and cervical cancer? September is GYN / Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. There is no screening test for ovarian cancer so it is important to know the symptoms! The CanSurvive GYN Cancer Support Group, the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation and the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation are working together to arrange teal lighting in prominent buildings of Birmingham and the surrounding municipalities. An awareness ceremony featuring Kim Evans, ovarian cancer survivor, as well as other guests and speakers, will be held at Regions Field on September 2, 2014. For more information visit www.astateofteal.org.

September 4, 2014: Birmingham Art Crawl

The first Thursday of every month, Birmingham Art Crawl takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the historic Loft District. Art Crawl is a great way to meet local artists and performers, buy and appreciate their work, and be part of the rapidly growing art scene in Birmingham. For more information visit birminghamartcrawl.com.

September 5, 2014: Kickin’ It for Kids with Cancer

Hosted by the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and the Samford University Women’s Soccer Team at the Bulldogs match against Belmont University on September 5th, Kickin’ It for Kids with Cancer helps raise awareness and supports the foundation’s mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and enhance children and their family’s quality of life. The event is free and t-shirts will be available for a $5 donation. For more information visit www.hatcherfoundation.org/kickin-it-2013.

September 5 – 6, 2014: Artwalk

Birmingham’s historic Loft District will transform into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities. Artwalk features established and emerging regional artists. Art lovers will see original work in all mediums priced from the affordable to the extravagant. Friday night has been compared to a huge gallery opening with a street festival atmosphere, while Saturday afternoon caters more to the family crowd with special children’s activities. For more information visit www.birminghamartwalk.org.

September 5 – 6, 2014: Miss Vulcan 1939

To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Vulcan Vulcan Park and Museum has teamed up with the Red Mountain Theater Company who will perform a light hearted production of Miss Vulcan 1939 under the stars at Vulcan Park and Museum. Inspired by actual events, this original work will transport audiences back in time to the first (and only) Miss Vulcan pageant. Roman mythology and 1930’s Birmingham collide in this quirky musical romp, where “ugly” is only in the eye of the beholder. The play is a (somewhat) true story of a meek dime store clerk who challenges the city’s debutantes in a beauty pageant to crown Vulcan’s queen. The beauty showdown promises to be an exciting event! Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged and boxed dinners are available for pre-order. For more information visit www.redmountaintheatre.org/1415-miss-vulcan-1939.

September 6, 2014: Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park

The largest of its kind in the state of Alabama, Birmingham’s newest off-leash dog park, Remy’s Dog Park, is set to open Saturday, September 6th at 9 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. at Red Mountain Park. Featuring 6 acres of green space with three designated areas to accommodate large dogs, small dogs and even an area for special needs dogs (elderly, shy, injured or recovering). Remy’s Dog Park contains open air and shaded areas for running and fetching. For more information visit www.redmountainpark.org.

September 11, 2014: Signature Chefs Auction of Birmingham

Sample the signature dishes of twelve to sixteen of the area’s finest chefs, restaurants and caterers at the Signature Chefs Auction at Iron City. In addition to these culinary stand outs, there will be fine wines to sample, live entertainment and a live and silent auction featuring packages from each chef’s venue. This event benefits the March of Dimes. Now that sounds like a recipe for a stellar evening! For more information visit www.marchofdimes.com/alabama/events.

September 13, 2014: ZooGala and Boogie with the Beasts

At this year’s ZooGala the Trails of Africa will be transformed into a Moroccan Souk, as the open air markets in Africa are called. The Trails of Africa will be lined with tents featuring brightly colored tapestries and hanging lanterns. Enjoy food, drinks, entertainment and a bustling market atmosphere. Cocktails begin at 7 p.m. with dinner at 8 p.m. Dinner will be catered by Kathy G and feature Moroccan Market Stations. The after party, Boogie with the Beasts, will be from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. featuring drinks, dessert and dancing to the live music of 14 Karat Gold Dance Band. Cocktail attire. For more information visit www.birminghamzoo.com.

September 16, 2014: Girls Night Out at Gus Mayer

Gus Mayer is hosting a night of fun, fashion and furry friends as they partner with Greater Birmingham Humane Society for Girls Night Out on Tuesday, September 16 from 4pm-8pm. All purchases are TAX FREE, including cosmetics, sportswear, dresses, select shoes and accessories! Greater Birmingham Humane Society will have animals on site for adoption. Gus Mayer will hold a drawing giving away a $750 gift card, $500 gift card and $250 gift card. For every $10 donation to Greater Birmingham Humane Society, shoppers will receive one entry into the drawing. Barktinis and treats will be provided for fashionistas and dog lovers. Come by to learn more about all of the programs of Greater Birmingham Humane Society and how you can get involved. for more information contact Gus Mayer.

September 18 – 20, 2014: Saint George Middle Eastern Food Festival

We’ve waited all year for this tasty event to return! The 33rd Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival. Homemade foods include Kibbee, rolled grape leaves, Mediterranean style chicken and a tasty selection of vegetarian foods such as spinach pies, falafel, and hummos. Desserts and pastries include kaak (date anise cookies), mamoul (nut and semolina cookies), zalabieh (fried anise flavored doughnut) and buttery baklava. Food will be served all day, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Downtown delivery will be available for lunch on Thursday and Friday with a $75 minimum order and drive through service is available until 7 p.m. In addition to fabulous food, come out for church tours, vendor booths featuring hand crafted olive wood from the Holy Land, Byzantine icons and literature, glass jewelry made from the church’s original stained glass and St. George’s Middle Eastern food cookbook, Our Favorite Recipes. Nightly entertainment will be performed by Amin and the Sultans Band from New York and folk dancing performed by the church’s own youth. For more information visit saintgeorgeonline.org.

September 20, 2014: Paws for the Cause 5K/1 Mile/Kids Fun Run and Pet Walk

Hosted by The Animal League of Birmingham and benefiting The Shelby Humane Society, Paws for the Cause is a dog-friendly 5K race and fun run held at Veterans Park in Hoover. Now in its sixth year, this event has raised thousands of dollars for the shelter in Columbiana. People of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to come out to have fun and show their passion for Alabama’s needy animals. Registration going on now. For more information visit www.active.com.

September 25, 2014: Night of Golden Opportunities

This fundraising event held at Iron City from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., supports Adopt A Golden Birmingham. There will be food, drinks and live music, as well as items for bid in live and silent auctions. For more information visit www.adoptagoldenbirmingham.com.

September 26, 2014: Western’s Fall Wine & Food Festival

Benefiting the Emmet O’Neal Library, Western’s Wine & Food Festival will be a fun filled evening at the Birmingham Zoo. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. numerous wine vendors will be offering over 650 wines for tasting and foods focusing on Alabama products prepared by the chefs from Jefferson State Culinary School. Come enjoy Fox Valley crab cakes, pond-raised shrimp, Hereford, NY, strip steak samples and much, much more. Come out and taste some amazing wines, chat with wine experts and purchase a case or two of wine at an excellent discount. For more information visit www.eolib.org.

September 27, 2014: Head Over Teal 5K & Family Fun Day

Support the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation, whose mission is to help fund research to find a reliable diagnostic tool to detect ovarian cancer in its earliest stages and to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, by participating in this 5K run, 1 mile fun walk and day of family fun at The Preserve. Then enjoy some local ale from Good People Brewery, pizza from Little Caesar’s and live music. Fun for all ages, there will be inflatables, face painting, crafts and more. For more information visit www.thinkoflaura.org.

September 27, 2014: Crestline Rocks

Benefiting PreSchool Partners, this is an all day, village-wide event presented by Otey’s and Taco Mama. There will be live music from local bands, The Hams and Rollin’ In the Hay on the field across from the Emmet O’Neal Library plus activities such as Touch-a-Truck for the kids, and restaurant and store specials around the village. For more information visit www.crestlinerocks.com.

September 28, 2014: Cahaba River Fry-Down

Spend a day on the Cahaba and learn more about water quality, human health and aquatic life while enjoying family-friendly games, visiting the beer garden and competing in the fry-down. For more information visit www.frydown.com.

September 28, 2014: 23rd Annual Magic City AIDS Walk

This year marks the 23rd Annual Magic City AIDS Walk in Avondale Park on Sunday 28 September 2014. Family, kid and pet friendly, guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and enjoy the live entertainment in the Avondale Park amphitheater. This year’s Grand Marshals will be the “Birmingham Metro Youth Choir” which is made up by over 70 voices of youth from the metro area. The event will feature live entertainment, bounce houses, health screenings, vendor fair, food trucks, a 1 mile walk, and a 5K run. For more information visit jamie59.wix.com/baobao#!magic-city-aids-walk.